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Thread: need help identifying some 303 Br rounds

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  1. #1
    Legacy Member Light Infantry's Avatar
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    need help identifying some 303 Br rounds

    Hi Everyone

    Have some 303 rounds I would like to identify. Any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

    Is the ammo collectable? Should I shoot it?

    1st

    Brass case, copper bullet, magnet does not stick.
    Headstamp: "1942" or "1943" at 12 o'clock, "DI" at 7, "Z" at 5.
    Red tip. Tracer?

    2nd

    Brass case, silver bullet, magnet sticks to bullet. Horizontal crimps half ay down neck
    Headstamp: "SMI" at 12 o'clock, "936" at 7, "L" at 5.
    Red tip. Tracer?


    3rd

    Brass case, silver bullet, magnet does not stick.
    Headstamp: "1941" at 12 o'clock, "DC" at 9, "G" at 6, "IV" at 5, "Z" at 3.
    White tip.

    4th

    Brass case, copper bullet, magnet does not stick.
    Headstamp: "1944" at 12 o'clock, "DI" at 7, "Z" at 5.
    White tip.

    5th

    Brass case, silver bullet, magnet does not stick.
    Headstamp: "1941" at 12 o'clock, "DC" at 8, "G" at 6, "iv" at 5, "Z" at 4.
    White tip.

    6th

    Brass case, silver bullet, magnet does not stick.
    Headstamp: "1942" at 12 o'clock, "DI" at 9, "VII" at 6, "Z" at 3.
    This has been polished cleaned. Looks like there may have been a colour on the bullet tip at one time.

    A few more to come later.
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    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
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    1) DI - Defense Industries Verdun Canadaicon 1943 DOM Ball round Mk7 (Z = Nitrocellulose propellant)
    2) SMI - Societa Francaise des Munitions 1936 DOM! As for the L it may mean drill round as thats all I could find on it.
    3) DC - Defense Industries Quebec Canada 1941 DOM G = Tracer IV = Mk 4 Z = Nitrocellulose propellant (White tip! could only find Red, Blue, Black)
    4) DI - As (1) 1944 DOM Mk 7Z Ball round
    5) DC - As (3)
    6) DI - As (1 & 4) Standard Ball round.
    DOM = Date of Manufacture
    The silvery coloured projectiles are just nickle as copper was in short supply for obvious reasons.

    Best to take pic of the bases much easier for us less typing I'm pretty sure I've got them right others may come in.

    Note * They will all be mecuric primed if you shoot them (Which I would'nt) you'll need to have warm soapy water down the barrel from the chamber end then clean as per usual method for fouling, as the salts from the primer will start rusting your barrel pretty much straight away as for the rounds put up on a shelf as a display dont clean them leave the patina om them.
    Last edited by CINDERS; 02-17-2020 at 10:06 PM.

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    Advisory Panel tiriaq's Avatar
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    The DI Z ammunition will be Boxer primed, non-corrosive.

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    Legacy Member Light Infantry's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone. Although I am confused about the red tipped ones. Are they only ball? I would assume that they would by tracer or...?

    ---------- Post added at 11:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 AM ----------

    Also is this some kind of home made hack job where someone tried to make some kind of HP/SP round????


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    Advisory Panel green's Avatar
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    SMI Societa Italiano Metallurgica, Italianicon
    Red tip and L in hs on Italian .303" IDs tracer
    Last edited by green; 02-18-2020 at 06:14 PM.

  8. Thank You to green For This Useful Post:


  9. #6
    Legacy Member Light Infantry's Avatar
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    I will try for pics in the next day or 2. For the above and a few others.

    Thank you

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    Legacy Member Sunray's Avatar
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    Go here. It's just about where the ammo was made.
    Cartridge Headstamps
    Defense Industries Verdun used 'DIV'. 'DI' and 'DIL' is Defence Industries Montreal, Quebec.
    "...They will all be mercuric primed..." No, they won't. The best .303 Ball I've ever fired was 1944 vintage DA(Dominion Arsenal). Non-corrosive.
    "...Should I shoot it?..." It'll be collectable if it's in the original box. Most ranges will not let you shoot trace of any kind. They think it starts fires. Does if the range is really, really dry.
    "...tried to make some kind of HP/SP..." After both Wars, hunting ammo was both scarce and expensive. Ball, as in FMJ, ammo has never been allowed for hunting. Some hunters tried to turn cheap milsurp Ball ammo into hunting legal ammo by cutting off the points of an FMJ. It doesn't work as the jacket is thicker and isn't designed to expand.
    Spelling and Grammar count!

  11. #8
    Legacy Member Light Infantry's Avatar
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    As promised, but as usual took me some time!


  12. #9
    Legacy Member Light Infantry's Avatar
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    Here you go!!


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    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
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    I just looked behind me and realized I have the 4 B.A Temple books on the 303 cartridge not 10' from me must be getting old or just lazy and using notes I have in my pigeon hole above the comp next time I'll drag my sorry butt from the chair and do some proper research.

    That second link BAR is a pearla saved both I already have the first printed and laminated but the 2nd one is very good thanks for the share.

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